The cost of a family health insurance plan has risen by 26% over the past five years, with prices increasing steadily since 2010, jumping nearly 50% in that time (1, 2). The average price for a family plan in 2025 was $26,993, with costs rising 6% yearly (3).

Salaries are not keeping up, growing 4% annually, as inflation rises 2.7% (4). Factors driving up costs include new diabetes drugs for weight loss, chronic disease, increased medical services, and hospital prices (5).

Deductibles for employees have also increased, with 3 in 10 workers in high-deductible health plans facing an average deductible of $1,886, up 17% since 2020 (6). Small companies are particularly affected (7).

Employers bear the brunt of health insurance costs, with workers paying $6,850 on average for family plans while employers pay $20,143 (8). Rising costs are projected to continue in 2026 (9).

Families can explore alternative insurance options like ACA marketplaces or Medicaid if employer coverage is unaffordable, and health cost-sharing ministries offer lower monthly costs but aren’t insurance (10). Understanding employer plan tiers and utilizing HSAs can help manage rising costs (11).

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Health insurance costs are surging past wage growth as family plans approach $27K/year. How to manage rising prices